wink buys a suit

# Pastebin QTgvdA8v
7:51:17 PM <•Antioch|GM> You glance at Pizzicato's number in your cell phone, a souvenir of the alliance briefly shared between Blackjack and the Borgata.
7:52:03 PM <•Antioch|GM> Briefly, you review the outline of the conversation you expect to have, the general thrust of the message you intend on delivering, glancing over notes scrawled on a legal pad.
7:52:18 PM → Wildbow joined  ⇐ lostavocado quit
7:52:43 PM <•Antioch|GM> In a corner of your office, paperwork slowly but steadily dwindling, Scrip types away himself, recording and interpreting financial data. ||
7:53:09 PM <soulpelt|Wink> ...
7:57:38 PM <soulpelt|Wink> Wink glances down at the phone again. What he planned to do hinged on Pizzicato agreeing. The Borgata had resources Blackjack did not, namely The Don and the rest of the capes across other cities. He was oddly nervous, all things considered, while yes he was a hardened criminal the Borgata covered a bigger area than he would dare try to achieve, atleast at
7:57:38 PM <soulpelt|Wink> the moment. With a slight moments hesitation Wink pressed 'Call'.||
7:59:55 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Well, Blackjack."
8:00:40 PM <•Antioch|GM> The voice at the other end of the line is crisp, precise, each syllable enunciated sharply and distinctly.
8:00:53 PM <•Antioch|GM> "I trust this is a business call." ||
8:01:29 PM <soulpelt|Wink> ...
8:04:17 PM <soulpelt|Wink> "Indeed it is." Wink says, with the right amount of respect given to the leader of semi-competitor gang. "I trust you have heard of Director Mendez's little Gala for Cleveland's finest." He glances at the computer, several tabs on the Gala and the Director herself.||
8:05:46 PM <•Antioch|GM> "This goes without saying." The reply is terse, almost irritated at the presumption that you would need to confirm such a fact.
8:06:03 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Be quick about this discussion, I have business to attend to." ||
8:06:08 PM <soulpelt|Wink> ...
8:11:22 PM ← Wildbow left (chatzilla@net-2ho3a0.user.start.ca): ""
8:12:02 PM <soulpelt|Wink> "Of course." Wink opens a tab on a news report about the Gala and various important public figures who would be there. "I will be purchasing a new place of operations near where it is to be held and I was curious as to if you would be amiable  to a show a force. To tell the residents of Cleveland that while we fought for the city that we aren't nice people
8:12:02 PM <soulpelt|Wink> and that they really shouldn't be thinking about making us angry."||
8:13:58 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Tch. You expect me to agree to a vulgar, heavy-handed show of force?"
8:14:05 PM <•Antioch|GM> "In tandem with you, no less?"
8:14:39 PM <•Antioch|GM> You hear an intake of breath, slight, a barely suppressed sound of some sort.
8:14:58 PM → lostavocado joined (lostavocado@net-t3655n.bigpond.net.au)
8:15:10 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Make no mistake, I will be present, but not in the capacity you are expecting." ||
8:15:25 PM <soulpelt|Wink> ...
8:20:59 PM <soulpelt|Wink> Interesting... "Then you are attending the Gala itself then?" If that was true, most curious indeed. The thought had occurred to him, however the risk of a police officer recognizing his voice was not something he wanted. Robert Sanderson was to be gone as far as law enforcement should be concerned. Still the irony of showing up to 'support' police would be
8:20:59 PM <soulpelt|Wink> quite fun given he DID return the weapons Invictus had stolen.||
8:24:41 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Of course," he says,  and the icy demeanor of his tone gives way to a more jibing cadence. "Did you not receive an invitation?" ||
8:25:09 PM <soulpelt|Wink> ...
8:28:37 PM <soulpelt|Wink> A small chuckle. "I may have acquired one through my own means." Wink says with a smile. "Perhaps I will be there as well." He glances outside towards the city. "I'll let you get back to your business. Have a pleasant day." He would wait for anymore words from Pizzicato before disconnecting the call.||
8:29:56 PM <•Antioch|GM> Upon hearing the closing remarks, Pizzicato ends the call. You hear a brief -click-. ||
8:31:57 PM → Nonagon joined (Nonagon@net-iciflr.dyn.suddenlink.net)
8:33:01 PM <soulpelt|Wink> Wink places the mobile phone down on his desk, standing up to walk to the window. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to go the Gala. He did so enjoy crowds, and the food was bound to be good. He would have to make sure Doubledown didn't get trigger happy again. "Mr. Scrip you wouldn't happen to know of a good and discrete place of business to buy a formal suit?"
8:33:01 PM <soulpelt|Wink> Wink asks, turning to the accountant.||
8:34:48 PM <•Antioch|GM> He pauses for a moment, thinking. "How formal? Maybe try March and Hawthorne, downtown. Bespoke tailoring, the works." ||
8:37:12 PM <soulpelt|Wink> ...
8:40:26 PM <soulpelt|Wink> "A Gala event." He walks over to the city of Cleveland, various locations circled and high lighted, each 'territory' covered by a sheet of colored plastic.||
8:41:36 PM <•Antioch|GM> "The Protectorate shindig, huh?"
8:41:44 PM <•Antioch|GM> He shrugs uncertainly.
8:41:48 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Well, you're the boss." ||
8:44:21 PM <soulpelt|Wink> Wink nods his head. "March and Hawthorne.... very good." He sits at the computer, looking up the store.||
8:45:52 PM <•Antioch|GM> Heh. Awkward. On Fulton Road, just north of Brooklyn Center. Right in the thick of Borgata territory. ||
8:48:48 PM <soulpelt|Wink> A small chuckle. Whelp time to support the Borgata it seemed, and given their location discretion was highly likely.||
8:50:29 PM <•Antioch|GM> As you prepare to leave, one of the dealers in the base gives a lazy wave.
8:50:36 PM <•Antioch|GM> "You headin' out?"
8:52:00 PM <•Antioch|GM> You remember his name, Niccolo - Scrip had singled him out, earlier, one of the men on the street who reported his (generous) sales and earnings with accuracy and honesty, now promoted to manage several dealers below him, and hold them to the same standard. ||
8:52:22 PM <soulpelt|Wink> ...
8:55:16 PM <soulpelt|Wink> "Yeah what's up?" Wink asks, stopping. Always keep the men happy, especially if they happened to have some information.||
8:57:07 PM <•Antioch|GM> "We moved a lotta product two days ago, caught wind of a Uni party, some kinda paint rave or somethin' goin' down in one of the abandoned storage warehouses in Euclid."
8:57:45 PM <•Antioch|GM> "I'm thinkin', y'know, what if we started runnin' some shows ourselves? Might be able to rake in some more bucks." ||
8:58:03 PM <soulpelt|Wink> ...
9:03:37 PM <soulpelt|Wink> How enterprising. "That sounds like a very good idea Niccolo." A gambling themed party. Blacklight would be fun. "I'll see what we can do. Though let's try to keep our parties a bit more.... tame than what the Dust Devils had."||
9:04:04 PM <•Antioch|GM> He winks, offering a thumbs up. "No fatalities. Got it." ||
9:07:09 PM <soulpelt|Wink> A goodhearted chuckle. "Keep me updated." He nods to the dealer, heading down. He motioned for Doubledown and one of the legbreakers. "We're going out to get suits." He walked out with them in tow, capping all three of them off.||
9:10:38 PM <•Antioch|GM> The thug accompanying you is practically a Blackjack veteran, joining up about the same time Lex did. Huey's been content to provide muscle for the crew, but since the Auswahlen left, he's been restless, aching for a fight.
9:11:33 PM <•Antioch|GM> The three of you pile into the car, Doubledown stoic as ever, though you notice he's developed the habit, or tic, of tapping his fingers against his forearm idly, every moment he's unoccupied, an asynchronous staccato beat. ||
9:15:34 PM <soulpelt|Wink> Wink frowns under his mask. Huey was destined to be an enforcer, keeping dealers safe and sound from would be small time muggers. Doubledown, a new habit was interesting but could be very bad. He glances to the Blaster. "Something up DD?" He asks, turning his eyes back to the road.||
9:16:25 PM <•Antioch|GM> He pauses tapping for a moment, then resumes. "... nah." ||
9:19:10 PM <soulpelt|Wink> He raises an eyebrow. He had a feeling that was untrue however it could wait till later. For now he would plan and think. How to get into the Gala. Pizzicato could get in through sheet intimidation. He however, could get in through stealth, perhaps.||
9:21:34 PM <•Antioch|GM> The three of you arrive outside of March and Hawthorne, parking on the side of the street.
9:23:21 PM <•Antioch|GM> Mannequins line the storefront, displaying three-piece suits, vests, ties and bowties, hats. There's a fabric store on the right, a real estate agency on the left.
9:23:34 PM <•Antioch|GM> The glass door plays an electronic tone as you enter.
9:25:03 PM <•Antioch|GM> The interior of the building is larger than you expected, less cozy, more modern.
9:25:49 PM <•Antioch|GM> White furniture, curvy and blocky, in abstract geometric shapes, have further mannequins or displays atop them.
9:26:51 PM <•Antioch|GM> Hardwood floor is covered by plush carpeting, and a salesperson behind the counter inclines his head at your party as you enter.
9:27:06 PM <•Antioch|GM> He's young, potentially a new hire, but his cadence is smooth and professional as he asks, "And how may I be helping sirs today?" ||
9:27:15 PM <soulpelt|Wink> ...
9:32:25 PM <soulpelt|Wink> "Me and my associates require formal suits for the upcoming Gala." Wink says nodding  to the young man. "I was hoping to purchase some from your fine establishment." He keeps his hands behind his back. "Who would I speak to?"||
9:35:35 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Ah, of course." He ushers the three of you to a pair of fitting rooms in the back. "Allow my associate here to get your measurements, and then we can discuss the particulars." ||
9:36:42 PM <soulpelt|Wink> ...
9:40:44 PM <soulpelt|Wink> Wink approaches one of the fitters, nodding slightly at him. "I'm to speak to you about getting us fitted for a suit, correct?" Business tone and collected. Always use a professional tone with these situations, doubly so when in Borgata territory.||
9:42:38 PM <•Antioch|GM> He nods, smoothly saying, "Of course," as he swings open the door to a room and ushers you in in a single fluid motion.
9:45:14 PM <•Antioch|GM> The next several moments are spent in silence as he takes your measurements with a fabric tape, punctuated by the scratch of his pencil as he writes down the relevant dimensions.
9:45:48 PM <•Antioch|GM> It's a few minutes until everything is to the fitter's satisfaction, and he nods to himself, opening the door - "Feel free to browse our selection as I take care of your associates as well, hmm?" ||
9:47:47 PM <soulpelt|Wink> Wink nods, standing aside. "Sounds very good." He heads to a rack, occasionally tagging someone to keep himself completely topped off. Very rarely had he needed a suit in his old line of work, however now he needed one... well he was slightly lost as to the business. He was always willing to learn, naturally.||
9:51:04 PM <•Antioch|GM> Near the fitting area, there is a rack containing hundreds upon hundreds of fabric swatches, cream white to navy blue to a rich plum, every color and texture in between, velvet and silk and wool, for those requesting a bespoke tailoring.
9:55:12 PM <•Antioch|GM> The suits on display give you an idea of how it all fits together - jacket, waistcoat, collared shirt, necktie, trousers - and you spend a few minutes examining the racks of shoes, inhaling the scent of rich leather as you go along. ||
9:56:04 PM <soulpelt|Wink> ...
9:59:25 PM <soulpelt|Wink> Wink had to admit this was rather nice. Getting a suit to match his costume would be good. He would take the fitters advice on materials for a suit for himself and the others. Running a gloved hand along rows of jackets Wink heads upstairs to explore more of the store. He could trust DD and Huey to remain civilized until it was time to leave.||
10:02:09 PM <•Antioch|GM> As you turn to check out the upstairs, you smell the scent of cheap cigarettes intermingling with the opulent ambient scent of the store, throwing you off.
10:02:38 PM <•Antioch|GM> Burn Notice stands behind you, inclining his head in recognition, tapping out the Lucky Strikes on his thigh, letting the ash fall to the carpet.
10:02:51 PM <•Antioch|GM> "'sup. You got some balls, comin' here." ||
10:03:13 PM <soulpelt|Wink> ...
10:04:21 PM <soulpelt|Wink> Wink returns the nod to Burn Notice. "Merely here on business, nothing more." He glances down to the floor below. "How're things, Burn?" He asks, turning his head towards the cape.||
10:06:00 PM <•Antioch|GM> He shrugs, unexpressive. "Could be better, could be worse. You really here just for the sake of gettin' dolled up?" ||
10:07:24 PM <soulpelt|Wink> ...
10:09:43 PM <soulpelt|Wink> "What do you expect me to have some ulterior motive for coming to a bespoke tailor in the middle of Borgata territory? I'm ambitious, not stupid." He says chuckling some.||
10:15:32 PM <•Antioch|GM> Burn Notice chuckles in response. "Well," he drawls, "since you happen to have good taste, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt." ||
10:25:16 PM <soulpelt|Wink> "Glad to hear it." He heads off to the railing. "You know if anythings happened with the 14K? Since the attack on the Protectorate they've been alarmingly quiet."||
10:26:14 PM <•Antioch|GM> He grins. "They're gone. That's all I'm saying." ||
10:26:54 PM <soulpelt|Wink> ...
10:30:00 PM <soulpelt|Wink> Wink's eyes widened under his mask. Well given how Burn acted, it was safe to assume they had a hand in that. "Glad to hear that. We can rest a bit easier now that there isn't the risk of being kidnapped by some crazy Asian fucks and being shipped off the China." He makes his way to the staircase. "Nice talking to ya, Burn. Perhaps we'll see each other
10:30:00 PM <soulpelt|Wink> later."||
10:31:30 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Later, pal."
10:31:40 PM <•Antioch|GM> He pauses as you head down the stairs.
10:31:59 PM <•Antioch|GM> "I gotta warn you, buddy. Next time we meet?"
10:32:05 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Ain't likely I'm gonna be half as personable." ||
10:32:18 PM <soulpelt|Wink> ...
10:34:07 PM <soulpelt|Wink> "I suspect as much. No hard feelings if you end up shot, eh friend?" He says as he leaves the staircase, heading over to the fitter. Time to see how things had progressed, plus keep and eye on his two associates.||
10:35:28 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Not gonna be much of you left to have feelings," he says, chuckling darkly. He taps his cigarette twice on the banister, lightly dusting you with ash.
10:36:48 PM <•Antioch|GM> Doubledown and Huey are done with their fittings when you return, the fitter showing them a catalogue. Doubledown follows along with marginal interest, while the boredom on Huey's expression is visibly evident.
10:37:02 PM <•Antioch|GM> The fitter looks up to you, acknowledging your return - "Ah, see anything you like?" ||
10:46:22 PM <soulpelt|Wink> "Yes sir." Wink says nodding, giving the exact details to the fitter. "... And cuff links shaped like eyes, if possible." He looks to his companions. They could follow the same general aesthetic with some alterations to suit them personally.||
10:49:45 PM <•Antioch|GM> Huey settles for something plain, serviceable, loose in the shoulders so he can swing a crowbar without limiting his range of motion. It's simple enough that it requires no custom tailoring - he finds something that suits him off the peg, and settles back in.
10:51:47 PM <•Antioch|GM> Doubledown is starting to enjoy himself, a pinstriped jacket with a matching waistcoat, white collared shirt and a tie, gunmetal gray - the only ornamentation he concedes is a pair of cuff links, stylized spades.
10:52:40 PM <•Antioch|GM> The fitter sketches the concept, writing out details for both you and Doubledown. "You can expect the finished product within the week," he assures you. ||
10:53:10 PM <soulpelt|Wink> ...
10:55:12 PM <soulpelt|Wink> Wink nods his head, looking to Doubledown. "Enjoying yourself, DD?" He chuckles and shakes his head. "Is there anything else?"||
10:55:52 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Nothing save the matter of the bill," the fitter replies, still smooth as silk.
11:12:27 PM <•Antioch|GM> You hand over the initial payment, and exit the shop, Huey carrying his new attire in a clothing bag over his shoulder. ||
11:17:21 PM <soulpelt|Wink> Wink stops in front of the car, giving it a look over to make sure there was no tampering with the vehicle, having Doubledown do with same at the same time. Two pairs of eyes were better than none.||
11:19:18 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((A wits roll, if you please))
11:20:19 PM <•Antioch|GM> The car is fine, passing muster under both you and Doubledown's scrutiny. ||
11:20:56 PM <soulpelt|Wink> Time to head to the main HQ then, and quickly.||
11:25:14 PM <•Antioch|GM> You return to base without delay, about three hours having passed since you departed.
11:26:07 PM <•Antioch|GM> Scrip nods as you enter, trading his spot for one in the kitchenette area as he sips on a mug of coffee - where'd he get that from? You don't have any in the house, don't need it - but your attention quickly shifts back to the figure in the hallway.
11:26:12 PM <•Antioch|GM> Gutshot.
11:26:19 PM <•Antioch|GM> He gives a sloppy salute with his regrown right arm. ||
11:26:24 PM <soulpelt|Wink> ...
11:27:31 PM <soulpelt|Wink> Wink smiles wide under his mask. "Guts." He puts a hand on his right shoulder. "I was just about to call The Good King." He pats the new arm. "How's it feel?" He asks, smile in his voice.||
11:30:31 PM <•Antioch|GM> He flexes the fingers, awkwardly.
11:30:55 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Can't quite get the hang of it yet, can't hold a gun or open a door."
11:31:24 PM <•Antioch|GM> "The King said I'd get the hang of it eventually, but it's never gonna be quite as good as my old one."
11:31:45 PM <•Antioch|GM> He shrugs with both shoulders, and says, "Hey, what the hell? It's fuckin' good to have to arms again." ||
11:31:58 PM <soulpelt|Wink> ...
11:36:18 PM → Firlz|Khandhas joined (Firlzzzz@net-t8c.vq8.12.24.IP)
11:37:50 PM <soulpelt|Wink> He nods. "No kidding. We'll get you all sorted before long." He grins again, heading to the kitchen. "How about something to eat? This is a cause for celebration."||
11:40:14 PM <•Antioch|GM> He grins. "Yeah, let's. Doc told me I should be chowing down on a lotta protein to replenish, anyways," he says, as he clumsily opens the refrigerator door with his right hand, grabbing a package of steak with his left.
11:40:19 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Shall we?"
11:40:20 PM <•Antioch|GM> ||||